What Makes Us Special?

Kūlia i ka Nu‘u

Kapi‘olani Community College seems to merge organically with the native landscape at the base of iconic Diamond Head. Overlooking the Wai‘alae coast, KCC is conveniently located just minutes from Waikiki and the sprawling lawns of Kapi‘olani Park. Our technical, professional and occupational programs continue to garner national attention with a cross-cultural emphasis on innovation and diversity.

Culinary Arts

Our superior award-winning Culinary Arts program is accredited with the American Culinary Federation and is the only program in the state with a specialization in Pastry Arts. The KCC Culinary Arts Program offers food service students a world-class learning environment that includes ten modern kitchens, a 130-seat culinary demonstration auditorium, on-campus restaurants, banquet rooms, computer labs and more. In addition to an award-winning, international faculty, the KCC Culinary Arts Program offers over $20,000 in scholarships annually. Perhaps one of the most exciting developments at KCC is in the creation of the Culinary Institute of the Pacific. When complete, this state-of-the-art facility will stand shoulder to shoulder with some of the most prestigious culinary schools in the world…offering such innovative programs as culinology and applied sciences. Read more >>

International Education Leader

In addition to a thriving study abroad program and customized contract training, Kapiʻolani Community College is well-known as a truly unique learning environment. The KCC student body is as diverse as our academic programs, with students from over 100 countries as well as our many culturally-diverse local communities. Read more >>

STEM

Kapiʻolani Community College STEM program is leading our campus on a journey toward technological excellence. STEM is an acronym for “Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics”. In his 2012 State of the Union address, President Barack Obama said, “Now you need to give more community colleges the resources they need to become community career centers–places that teach people skills that local businesses are looking for right now, from data management to high-tech manufacturing.” Our STEM program is key in helping KCC become a model of the kind of institution the president referred to. Kapiʻolani Community College is taking the lead with the only full-time science, technology, engineering, and math program in the UH Community College system. Read more >>

Transfer Excellence

Kapiʻolani Community College offers the state’s largest and most comprehensive academic program to allow students to complete courses towards a baccalaureate degree. Each year, KCC transfers the largest number of students to four-year universities among all UH community colleges. KCC offers a unique “dual admission” program which allows highly qualified students to be enrolled at KCC and UH Mānoa simultaneously. KCC is #1 among transfer students currently enrolled at the flagship University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Read more >>